[Reading-hall-of-fame] More on my proposal

[Ken Goodman]

Thanks for the responses so far to my idea for the Reading Hall of Fame 
to propose a research program that would  replace the discredited 
Reading First with  a real comparison of alternative methodologies in 
reading instruction. As I've seen your responses it seems to me that 
there could  be two parts to what we would propose. One would be funding 
of a full range of trials of programs for reading instruction conducted 
by leading advocates of each. The other is the development of a fair and 
unbiased system of evaluation of the programs and their results to be 
conducted by unbiased third parties. This could  make use of  varied 
evaluatory systems that extend far beyond standarized tests.

Within our membership we include a very diverse group of distinguished 
experts in both areas.  I'm particularly intrigued with what David 
Pearson, Roger Farr,  Gerald Duffy, Jim Hoffman, Kathy Roller, John 
Guthrie, Bob Calfee- among others- could come up with  as a state of the 
art inclusive system for judging the value of extremely different 
instructional programs and their results.

My hope is that  we could get the attention of Obama or McCain to 
include such an alternative to Reading First in their eduational agenda. 
I also hope we could get to the House and Senate education committees to 
consider such a proposal. But it may be that a private foundation would 
also be interested in providing support.

What do you think? I hope we can get a good discussion going on this.
Ken Goodman